Cali Smog Engine Rebuild

[srfinatsunset]

In California has anyone bored n stroked their 454 put in mild/RV cam and refreshed the heads (new springs and valves) and passed the sniff test portion of smog?


I have a 1980 Crew Cab 1 ton with 454. No Cats, dual exhaust a a cross over exhaust. I still have the smog pump/air injection and charcoal canister in place and working. The heads are 049 oval port. With a vacuum advance and Q-jet carb.

I believe I have a cracked head casket. It got white smoke out the tail pipe

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

All a smog machine measures is ppm. Rather it is a 454, 502, or even 283. It's only measuring ppm.

So cubic inches has little to do with smog.

Do not get a generic RV cam. They only turn gas into noise. Get a comp 265 cam or what ever they are called now. Or better yet a roller cam that matches the duration, and lobe centers. Add roller rockers for a bit more lift.

Do not raise compression above 9-1 with old school heads. Edelbrock performer or equivalent aluminum will be most ideal.

Upgrade to the biggest cat you can get. A full MSD ignition or equivalent with 6AL box.

Put a 1-2 inch open spacer under the carb. It mimics a high rise manifold.

Port match the heads to the intake to keep engine the most ideal.

Tune the carb, and adjust the fuel rods. Make sure Afr is around 13.5-14-1 at cruising speeds.

Best option is getting a GMPP 6.2 erod engine. They can be barely more then a built smog legal engine, and perform better.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

The best option although questionably legal. Is get a 73-75 C20 or C30.

Prior to 81 all Chevy told you on the vin is that you had a 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton. Also rather 2wd or a 4wd. Then what engine it had. Not rather it was a crew or regular cab.

I got myself a C20 vin for my next project.